Log debarking machine



y 23, 1963 N. GlUGNI Em. 3,098,513

LOG DEBARKING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventors NELLO 6lUGN\ ET' AL By .w.

Attorney 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 28, 1961 v m vm Inventors NELLQ GIUGNI ET AL.

By M MW ttorneys United States Patent 3,058,513 LOG DEBARKING MACIHNE Nelle Giugni, Bruno Giugni, and Rino Giugni, all of Via Pianta, Voltana, Ravenna, Italy Filed Apr. 28, 1961, Ser- No. 106,335 Claims priority, application Italy Feb. 14, 1961 Claims. (Cl. 144-2tl8) The present invention relates to log-debarkin g machines. It is an objct of the invention to provide a log de-barking machine in which the log is rotated intermittently, substantially about its longitudinal axis, and the bark is removed in strips longitudinally of the log by a knife or blade acting as a scraper extending transversely of the log.

More particularly and according to a feature of the invention, the log from which the bark is to be removed is mounted on a log carriage movable longitudinally backwards and forwards, while the bark-removing knife is fixedly arranged and is guided manually in its inclination and spacing relatively to the surface of the log, a shift mechanism being provided by which the log, after each movement beneath the knife or blade, is automatically turned through a predetermined angle about its longitu dinal axis.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the constructional examples shown in the accompanying draw ings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view drawn to a larger scale showing a part of the blade mounting and of the advancing gear for the log carriage of the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the log carriage and a part of the shift mechanism for turning the log;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another constructional form of machine according to the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a part of the feed gear for the log carriage of the machine of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a detail showing a locking device on the log carriage of the machine of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-section of the machine of FIG- URE 4 showing the shift mechanism for turning the log, and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view, partly in section, of the log carriage of the machine of FIGURE 4.

Referring firstly to FIGURES 1 to 3, the machine illustrated comprises a horizontal, frame-like mounting formed of U-shaped section irons 1, 101, 2, 192, and which can be fixedly located or, as in the example shown, can be made portable by providing castors 3 mounted on the frame to swivel about vertical pivots. The U-shaped longitudinal irons 1, 101 of the machine frame are directed with their open-channel sides facing one another and serve as guideways for the rollers 4 of the log carriage 5 movable longitudinally backwards and forwards therebetween, the said carriage carrying the log A (FIGURE 3) from which the bark is to be removed.

The log carriage 5 is given its reciprocatory movement by means of two wire cables 6, 156, which are wound in juxtaposition in opposite winding directions on a cable drum 9 and the free ends of which, after being guided around pulleys 7, 8, are secured centrally at opposite ends of the carriage 5. The cable drum is driven by an electric motor 10 through a V-belt drive 11, an overload slipping clutch 12 and a worm gearing 16. The overload slipping clutch 12 is biased by a spring 13, the tension of which is adjustable in order to be able to select according to requirements the resistance at which the clutch 12 slips. The reversal of the movement of the carriage at the end of each travel thereof can be eifected "ice automatically, for example, by means of electric switches (not shown) actuated by the carriage 5 itself, or can be operated by the machine operator, for example, by means of a pedal control or the like (not shown). A variablespeed gear may also be provided in the drive means for the carriage 5.

The log A is rotatable about its longitudinal axis on the log carriage 5 and at the same time is mounted so that it cannot be displaced longitudinally. A shift mechanism is provided by which the log A, with each reversal of the movement of the carriage, that is to say, after each travel of the carriage, both at the right and left ends of the machine, is turned about its longitudinal axis by a predetermined angle, which is preferably adjustable.

The log A rests at each of its ends on two supporting wheels or drums 19, 21 and 20, 22, respectively, which are provided with spikes, sharp teeth or the like, in order to prevent a longitudinal displacement of the log. The spike wheels 21, 22 disposed on one side of the log A, for example, on the right side, as viewed in FIGURE 3, are secured to a common shaft '17, which is mounted to rotate freely on the carriage 5. The spiked or toothed wheels 19, 29 arranged on the opposite side, i.e., on the left-hand side of the log A, are likewise fixed on a common shaft 18, which is automatically advanced by one step at the end of each travel of the carriage 5. By this means, the log A is rolled in the opposite direction on the pair of toothed wheels 21, 22 of the other shaft 17 through a comparatively small angle.

The shift mechanism for the toothed wheels 19, 20 consists of a ratchet wheel 23 fixed on the shaft 18 of these wheels, and also a locking pawl 25 and a shift pawl 24. The springs which load the pawls 24, 25 are not shown and advantageously consist of helical tors-ion springs. The shift pawl 24 is mounted on a pair of lever arms 26 mounted to swivel freely about the shaft 18, the said pair of arms being pivotally connected by a pair of rods 27 to one end 128 of a rocking lever 28 mounted at 29 on the carriage 5. The opposite free end 228 of the rocking lever 28 is guided in a vertical guideway 32 and is supported under the action of the spring 33 on an adjustable stop 34. At both ends of the travel of the log carriage, a roller 30 mounted on the end 228 of the rocking lever runs on to a cam section 31 or 131, whereby the rocking lever 28 is moved at least once upwardly and downwardly. By this means, the ratchet wheel 23 and consequently also the shaft 18 with the toothed wheels 19, 20 is advanced at least one step by the shift pawl 24. The angular movement of the end 128 of the rocking lever 28 can be adjusted by varying the fulcrum of the said lever 28, for example, from the hole 29 to the hole 129. By this means, the shifting angle of the shaft 18 and consequently the angle of rotation of the log A can be adjusted.

The cam sections 31, 131 can be adjusted according to the length of the log A by means of clamping devices on the corresponding longitudinal girder 1 of the machine frame. The log A is secured longitudinally between two clamping heads 42, 142 which press for example by means of rollers 43 against the end surfaces of the log and are mounted so as to be displaceable on i3. longitudinally directed rail 143 and to be clamped in the position required. The wire cables 6, 106 of the drive means for the carriage are protected against damage when unloading :and loading the log A by means of stirrup members 44 or the like projecting laterally of the machine frame.

In order to remove the bark from the log A, there is used a fixed knife or blade which is directed trans- Versely thereof and which is arranged above the carriage 5 substantially in the middle of the machine frame; the blade consists of two scraper blades 35, which are fixed on a V-shaped blade carrier 36 so as to be inclined in two opposite directions. One'end of the blade carrier 36 comprises a pin 37 with which the carrier 36 is adapted to be swivelled vertically and, because of the clearance which is intentionally left, is suspended so that it can turn somewhat about its longitudinal axis in a hook-shaped detent 39"of a stand 40 provided laterally: on the machine frame. The opposite end of the blade support 36 extends so that it can be freely displaced and turned between two guide uprights 41, .141 and comprises a traversely directed handle $3 for the machine operator.

In operation, the log A is moved backwards and forwards by the log carriage beneath the blade carrier or support 36 and the bark is thereby removed in strips by the scraper blades 35, 135 which become alternately operative. After each travel of the carriage, the log A is rotated through such an angle about its longitudinal axis that the strips of bark successively removed are disposed closely adjacent one another. The pair of blades 35, 135 are guided by the operator by means of the handle 33, that is to say, the blade which is actually operative is guided accurately along the irregular surface of the log A below the bark thereof by raising and lowering the blade support 36. By rotating the blade support 36 about its longitudinal axis, one or other of the blades 35, 135 is brought to the operative position and it is also possible for the slope of the operating bladeto be modified slightly and be adapted to requirements. Knots or branch junctions on the log A can easily be avoided by the operator, simply by raising the blade support 36 to a greater degree. The upright 40 comprises a plurality of superimposed, hook-shaped notches 39' for supporting the blade support pin 37, whereby the machine can be adapted to different diameters of the logs.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 to 8 the machine shown therein is similar in many respects to the machine already described by reference to FIGURES l to 3, and similar parts in the two machines bear the same reference numerals. In the arrangement according to FIGURES 4 to 8, however, the transversely directed section irons 2, 102 of the machine frame are arranged ata somewhat lower level than the longitudinally extending track rails 1, 101 thereof, so that the carriage 5 can project slightly from the ends of the machine frame, as indicated in FIGURE 4. The machine frame can also be set up on supporting feet 45, which cause the oastors 3 to be lifted slightly from the ground and which can be dismantled or swung upwardly to engage the castors with the ground when the machine is required to be movedfrom one location to another.

In the machine of FIGURES 4 to 8, the log carriage 5 is moved backwards and forwards by means of a chain 46 which is tensioned in the middle of the machine frame between two sprocket wheels 47 mounted on the said frame, and is fixed by means of its two ends, for example by means of screws 48, to a central transverse bearer -49 of the carriage 5. One sprocket wheel 47 is driven by a reversible electric motor througha reduction gear 50 and the shaft 51. A change-speed gear or an adjustable overload slipping clutch may also be arranged between the driving motor 10 and the chain 46 or the sprocket wheel 47. The two runs of the chain 46 are disposed one above the other and the upper run is covered by a protecting rail 52 fixed onthe carriage 5.

In the machine of FIGURES 4 to 8, the toothed or spiked wheels 19 to 22 are in each case separately carried by a bearing block 53, these bearing blocks 53 being fixed in pairs on transverse girders or bearers 54 of the carriage 5. The two coaxial spiked wheels 19, 20 on one side of the. log A are positively driven and their bearing blocks 53 arefixedly arranged on the corresponding transverse bearer 54. The opposite, non-driven spiked wheels 21, 22 on the other hand are adjustable separately and independently of one another longitudinally of the bearer 54 and transversely of the log A. For this purpose, the bearing blocks 53' of the spiked wheels 21, 22 are displaceably guided on the corresponding transverse bearer 54 of the carriage 5, which bearer is for example of channel section, and the bearing block is secured by locking means in the adjusted position. Screw bolts 55 can for example be used as locking means, the said bolts engaging through coinciding slots 56, 57 of the bearing block 53 and of the transverse bearer 54. Each transverse bearer 54 with the pairs of spiked wheels 19, 21 and 2t), 22 mounted thereon is displaceable longitudinally on the carriage 5 and adapted to be secured in the adjusted position. In order to secure the transverse bearer 54 in its longitudinally adjusted position, it is for example possible to use pins 5 8, which are each inserted in a selected one of a series of holes 59 formed in each longitudinal bearer of the carriage 5- and either engage in a corresponding hole of the transverse bearer 54 or act as a stop for the latter.

Another locking means for the transverse bearer 54 is shown in FIGURE 6 and consists of a locking element 61 at each end of the transverse bearer and rotatably mounted thereon as indicated at 60, the said element 61 advantageously being made channel-shaped and engaging beneath the likewise channel-shaped but somewhat narrower transverse bearer 54. The transverse bearer 54 engages with its end in the U-shaped longitudinal bearer of the carriage 5, it being supported by the locking elements 61 on the lower web of the said longitudinal bearer. By means of a screw 62 screwed through the locking element 6-1 and acting from below against the transverse bearer 54, the latter can be slightly lifted and.

can be pressed and clamped against the upper web of the longitudinal bearer 105 of the carriage 5.

With the arrangement described with reference to FIG- URES 4 to 8, it is possible to adapt the spacing between the pairs of spiked wheels 19, 21 and 20, 22 by displacement of the corresponding transverse bearer 54 of the carriage 5 to the actual length of the log A from which bark is to be removed. It is also possible for the spacing between the two spiked wheels 19, 21 and 20, 22 of each pair to be adjusted to accommodate the elements of the log by displacement of the bearing block 53 of the nondriven wheel 21 or 22. It is to be borne in mind that the log A from which bark is to be removed is generally of different diameters at its two ends. It is therefore necessary for the two spiked wheels 19, 21 or 20, 22 to be adjusted to a smaller spacing at the thinner end of the log in order to lift the said end in such a way that the upper longitudinal side of the log which is engaged by the bark-removing knife is adjusted to a substantially horizontal position.

When the log is of different diameters at its two ends, the corresponding spiked wheels 19, 20 must also be advanced by a different advancing step after each travel of the carriage 5, so that the strip of bark next to be removed lies immediately adjacent the strip already removed over the entire length of the log. For this purpose, in the machine of FIGURES 4 to 8, two longitudinally extending coaxial shafts 63, 163 are arranged on the carriage 5, these shafts running in bearings 64 and each being connected by a central wheel 65 or 165 of a differential gear 67 arranged approximately in the middle of the carriage 5 on a transverse bearer 66 thereof. The rotatably mounted housing of this differential gear carries the revolving Wheels 68 and is fixedly connected to the ratchet wheel 23- of the shift mechanism for the spiked wheels. The ratchet wheel 23 co-operates with the shift pawl 24 and the locking pawl 25, the drive of the shift pawl 24 being effected by the rocking lever 28 in the manner already described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 3.

The two driven spiked wheels 19, 20 are each connected by a chain gear 69, 70, 71 to the corresponding shaft 63 or 163, the sprocket wheel 71 being mounted on the corresponding transverse bearer '4 and being disposed for longitudinal displacement on the shaft 63* or 163, with which it is positively rotatably connected. It is thereby possible for the transverse bearer 54 to be adjusted longitudinally while maintaining the driving connection between the shaft 63 or 163 and the wheel 19 It will be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction specifically described and illustrated and that modifications thereto may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A log de-barking machine comprising a frame, an elongated log carriage supported for horizontal longitudinal movement on said frame, means for effecting movement of said log carriage alternately in opposite directions, stationary blade means extending transversely of the log carriage and spaced above the log carriage for engaging the upper surface portion of a log supported thereby, wheels mounted in pairs spaced lengthwise of the log carriage, the wheels of each pair being transversely spaced to receive therebetween and support one end of a log, slide members extending transversely of said log carriage and longitudinally slidably supported thereby, locking means for securing the said members in longitudinally adjusted position on the log carriage, means mounting the wheels of each pair of wheels on one of said slide members in adjustable lengthwise spaced relation with respect thereto, locking means for securing the said wheel mounting means in lengthwise adjusted position on said slide member, and means for effecting simultaneous rotation of at least one wheel of each pair of Wheels.

2. A log debarking machine comprising in combination a frame, an elongated log carriage for supporting lengthwise thereof a log to be debarked, means supporting the said log carriage on said frame for horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction thereof, automatic means for effecting said movement of the log carriage alternately in opposite directions, stationary cutting means supported by said frame and spaced above the log carriage for cutting engagement with the upper peripheral surface portion of a log supported by the log carriage, the said cutting means including a pair of knife blades disposed at an angle to each other, said pair of blades being pivotally supported at one end so as to be manually adjustable during operation of the machine for slightly varying both the blade inclination and spacing with respect to the said upper surface portion of the log whereby movement of the log and log carriage in one direction beneath said blades enables engagement of one blade to cut a longitudinal strip of bark from the log and movement of the log in the opposite direction enables cutting engagement of the other blade, and means for rotating the log automatically about its longitudinal axis through a predetermined angle after each traverse of the log beneath the cutting means.

3. A log debarking machine comprising in combination a frame, an elongated log carriage for supporting lengthwise thereof a log to be debarked, means supporting the said log carriage on said frame for horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction thereof, means for elfecting said movement of the log carriage alternately in opposite directions, stationary blade means supported by said frame and spaced above the log carriage for cutting engagement with the upper peripheral surface portion of a log supported by the log carriage, the said blade means comprising an elongated blade carrier extending transversely of the log carriage, means at one side of the machine frame vertically adjustably mounting one end of the blade carrier for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof and for pivoting about said one end thereof towards and away from the log carriage, vertically disposed guide means at the other side of the machine frame engaging the other end of the blade carrier, and two scraper blades secured to and extending longitudinally of said blade carrier and transversely inclined downwardly therefrom in opposite directions, and means for rotating the log automatically about its longitudinal axis after completion of longitudinal movement in each direction of the log carriage along the frame.

4. A log deba-rking machine according to claim 1 in which the said frame is mounted on wheels.

5. A log debarking machine comprising in combination a frame, an elongated log carriage for supporting lengthwise thereof a log to be debarked, means supporting the said log carriage on said frame for horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction thereof, means for effecting said movement of the log carriage alternately in opposite directions, stationary blade means supported by said frame and spaced above the log carriage for cutting engagement with the upper peripheral surface portion of a log supported by the log carriage, the said blade means being manually adjustable for varying the inclination and the spacing thereof with respect to the said upper surface portion whereby as the log is traversed beneath said blade means by said movement of the log carriage a longitudinal strip of bark is removed therefrom, and means for rotating the log automatically about its longitudinal axis through a predetermined angle after completion of longitudinal movement in each direction of the log beneath the blade means, said means for rotating the log including wheels mounted in pairs spaced lengthwise of the log carriage, the wheels of each pair being transversely spaced to receive therebetween and support one end of a log, and means for adjusting each of said log supporting wheels both longitudinally and transversely of said carriage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 379,559 Brokaw Mar. 20, 1888 489,178 Bloss Jan. 3, 1893 1,337,286 Stadig Apr. 20, 1920 1,692,028 Elliott Nov. 20, 1928 2,575,422 Laulainen Nov. 20, 1951 2,726,691 Harwood et a1. Dec. 13, 1955 2,901,011 Eaton Aug. 25, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 110,433 Australia Apr. 22, 1940 1,125,189 France July 9, 1956 

1. A LOG DE-BARKING MACHINE COMPRISING A FRAME, AN ELONGATED LOG CARRIAGE SUPPORTED FOR HORIZONTAL LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT ON SAID FRAME, MEANS FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAID LOG CARRIAGE ALTERNATELY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, STATIONARY BLADE MEANS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE LOG CARRIAGE AND SPACED ABOVE THE LOG CARRIAGE FOR ENGAGING THE UPPER SURFACE PORTION OF A LOG SUPPORTED THEREBY, WHEELS MOUNTED IN PAIRS SPACED LENGTHWISE OF THE LOG CARRIAGE, THE WHEELS OF EACH PAIR BEING TRANSVERSE LY SPACED TO RECEIVE THEREBETWEEN AND SUPPORT ONE END OF A LOG, SLIDE MEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID LOG CARRIAGE AND LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLY SUPPORTED THEREBY, LOCKING MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAID MEMBERS IN LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTED POSITION ON THE LOG CARRIAGE, MEANS MOUNTING THE WHEELS OF EACH PAIR OF WHEELS ON ONE OF SAID SLIDE MEMBERS IN ADJUSTABLE LENGTHWISE SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, LOCKING MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAID WHEEL MONTING MEANS IN LENGTHWISE ADJUSTED POSITION ON SAID SLIDE MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING SIMULTANEOUS ROTATION OF AT LEAST ONE WHEEL OF EACH PAIR OF WHEELS. 